Stay Tuned: Front-Seat TVs for Drivers in Japan

4/23/2013 10:30PM

Most new Japanese-market auto navigation systems come with a built-in TV tuner. That means drivers can watch their favorite shows live, whenever they're on the go. But how safe are they? WSJ's Chester Dawson reports.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

I ... you might call it ... you try it while watching ... the initial eighteen NMI away a work in the morning it's usually the morning news shows that I watch ... these days most new Japanese war dead auto navigation systems ... but with the built in TV tuner ... that means drivers can watch their favorite shows live whatever they're called the go ... kids can also be bought for less than fifty dollars or so overturn the existing navigation systems into mobile group too ... some critics warranties front seat these are distracting and dangerous ... in the U S installing TV spirit driver is banned in many states ... drivers across the globe are restricted from texting or talking on their phones to avoid accidents ... but in Japan and drivers are prevented from glancing at TV screens in cars ... only from staring at them ... police say that's a distinction without a difference and largely unenforceable ... the Japanese National police Agency reports driving accidents from staring at the TV ... or overrun by ... jumping to more than nine hundred incidents in two thousand eleven ... a weak Iraqi says she hasn't been scored by the potential hazards of ... driving while watching ... at least not when she's behind the wheel ... I never really think about it when I'm doing the job thing ... that I guess if I wanted a card and sign of the driver watching TV ... it would get me pots ... at the chance an accident would worry me ... Japan's auto executives and the pure navigation system makers ... say they don't recommend watching well with our emotions ... and say this is one gadget pays no plans to export ... for The Wall Street Journal this is Chester